Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Houthis Report 26 Saudi Strikes Amid Yemen War
The Houthis and forces backed by Saudi Arabia are fighting again in Yemen.
The Houthis say Saudi Arabia attacked their positions 26 times in one day.
They also say there were 300 Saudi strikes in one week.
The fighting had been quieter since 2022 but became intense again in July.
The Houthis recently captured more of Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
They say ships can still use the Bab al-Mandab Strait, except Saudi ships.
More than 112,000 people have had to leave their homes.
The United Nations says millions of people in Yemen are struggling to get enough food.
The Houthis said Saudi Arabia carried out 26 strikes in Houthi-controlled Yemen over 24 hours.
The group claimed Saudi strikes totaled 300 during the past week.
Renewed fighting followed a Houthi offensive to seize Yemen’s Red Sea coast and control the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The conflict displaced more than 112,000 people, while nearly 3,000 fled across the sea to Djibouti, according to the United Nations.
The United Nations said 17 million people in Yemen faced food insecurity in 2025, including 1 million facing extreme hunger.
- Who
- The Houthis, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen’s Riyadh-backed, internationally recognised government are involved.
- What
- The Houthis reported 26 Saudi strikes in 24 hours and 300 over the previous week amid renewed fighting.
- When
- The claims were made on Friday; the broader fighting had revived in July after being largely frozen since 2022.
- Where
- The reported strikes targeted Houthi-held areas of Yemen, including areas near the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- Why
- The renewed conflict is linked to clashes over control of Yemen, including a Houthi offensive to seize the entire Red Sea coast.
Houthi Claims
Saudi-Backed Government Context
Airstrikes
Houthi Claims
The Houthis said Saudi Arabia carried out 26 strikes in 24 hours and 300 during the previous week against areas under their control.
Saudi-Backed Government Context
The article identifies Saudi Arabia as leading a coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognised government, but does not include a Saudi response to the strike claims.
Maritime access
Houthi Claims
The Houthis declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia but said navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait remained open and free except for Saudi vessels.
Saudi-Backed Government Context
Saudi exports through the strait have declined since July, although five loaded ships passed through during the last week, according to Kpler figures.
- Reported strikes in 24 hours
- 26, according to the Houthis
- Reported strikes in one week
- 300, according to the Houthis
- People displaced in renewed fighting
- More than 112,000, according to the United Nations
- People who fled to Djibouti
- Nearly 3,000
- People struggling to eat in Yemen in 2025
- 17 million, according to the United Nations
- People facing extreme hunger in 2025
- 1 million, according to the United Nations
- Saudi exports through Bab al-Mandab
- Exports dropped since July, although five loaded ships passed through during the last week